The To Do List

The exhibit Black in Black is at the Fridge until May 9.

Feel like getting out of the house but making it a really cheap date night tonight? Head on over to the Southeast Library for this month’s screening of the Capitol Hill Film Festival. They’re showing All the President’s Men with once fresh-faced stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, starting at 6:30 p.m.

While you’re there, drop off a donation of any unwanted books. The Friends of the Library are holding one of their killer sales on Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You never know what bestsellers you’ll find for just a buck at one of these mammoth fundraisers. Have you seen that basement filled with practically free books?

On Friday or Saturday at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday at 2:30 p.m. catch the opening weekend of The Mikado presented by the Washington Savoyards at the Atlas. If this Gilbert and Sullivan romp so inspires, you too can take to the stage with a wig and powder since the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is holding auditions on Saturday and Monday for its own summer staging of the musical. See the details here.

If you can’t get enough of the Atlas, you can catch another great performance of Opera in Cinema on Saturday at  2 p.m. Go on, “experience the world’s best opera houses, no airfare required.”  This performance of Rigoletto was filmed at Teatro Regio di Parma in Italy and is considered one of Giuseppe Verdi’s greatest accomplishments. Find out why Verdi swore the tenor to secrecy and see what all the fuss is about Georgian soprano Nino Machaidze who has played the role more than 400 times in opera halls around the world. $20.

Don’t forget the ART & GO SEEK scavenger hunt and party ($25) at CHAW on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You too could be part of one of the teams racing around the Hill participating in wacky art challenges.

Thanks to Robert’s recent posts on Tiger Alley you have a sense of the what goes behind the houses on Capitol Hill. This is the weekend to sample the artistic fare at the Fridge, a gallery and educational and performance space at the rear of 633 E Street Southeast. A friend has been trying to get me to try one of the regular Sunday afternoon circus events, but with both an art opening and a craft class on the books for this weekend, this should be the weekend I make my first visit to the Fridge. The opening of Black in Black on Saturday night from 7-11 p.m. features the collaborative works of Tim Conlon and Mark Jenkins including sculpture, paintings, prints and an outdoor installation. Many of the pieces portray the dark sense of humor that the two artists share, so don’t be surprised by a tree growing out of a dead newspaper box or a baby controlling a pair of police officer legs. On Sunday from 2-4 p.m., Beth Baldwin (voted DC’s Best Local Crafter 2009 & 2010) will be teaching a class in creating plush dolls by hand. The doll class is part of the hands-on creative work that the Albus Cavus international artist collective leads to create bonds and strengthen communities as part of their education initiative. Fabric, tools and other items used in the creation of your very own plush will be provided. There’s a suggested donation of $25.

For an altogether more daring level of entertainment, make a date for the Palace of Wonders on Saturday night for the Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow at 10 p.m. For $10, you’ll be entertained by death-defying silver tongued devil Tyler Fyre and Thrill Kill Jill, as well as a Russian contortionist, Cirque Du Soleil aerialist and World Champion Rhythmic Gymnast Ekaterina. They promise a night full of thrills, glamour and a whole lot of flexibility.

The sudden arrival of 90 degree days takes the fun out of spring dressing, but I’d like hear suggestions on going from cashmere to spaghetti straps in 5 days from fashionista, wardrobe stylist and personal brand coach Jenn Bussell.  On Sunday at 11 a.m. she’ll offer a workshop titled Taking the Stress Out of Getting Dressed at the Courtyard by Marriott Capitol Hill at the Navy Yard. For $45 she offers “winning strategies for creating a more stress-free, stylish you at work, play, and special occasions” and promises to share the “10 Commandments for Looking & Feeling Fabulous” and “Shopping Secrets of the Shoestring Stylist.”

If you’re strolling through Eastern Market on Sunday, be sure to follow the flutes towards the flea market. The Music in the Yard series begins its second season with the Andean Fusion sound of Mystic Warriors. Groups and soloists will perform from 12-1:30 p.m. and from 2-3:30 p.m. each Sunday, weather permitting. For a complete schedule, which includes Rick Franklin, Dave Chappell (no, not Dave Chappelle), Ellen Cherry, Ian Walters and Dream Keepers, visit www.easternmarket.net.

Enjoy!